The battle over marriage just reached an entirely new level.
West Hollywood, California, has unanimously approved an ordinance allowing polyamorous relationships involving three or more adults to receive official recognition as domestic partnerships, further challenging the traditional and biblical definition of marriage and family.
According to the New York Post, the City Council voted in favor of the measure, which allows qualifying relationships to receive different rights, including hospital visitation rights and housing safeguards.
While secular governments continue expanding their definitions of family, an even more alarming question is emerging: Why are some churches beginning to do the same?
As Charisma previously reported, Ohio pastor Israel Ford of LifeWorks Church recently made headlines after his wife, Lydia, introduced Shakayla Ford to their congregation as his second wife.
Ford has defended his arrangement while challenging the traditional Christian understanding of monogamous marriage.
Let that sink in. A pastor, entrusted with shepherding God’s people and proclaiming His Word, is publicly defending a relationship that contradicts the biblical standard for marriage upheld by historic Christianity.
In Genesis 2:24, Scripture establishes the foundation of marriage: A man leaves his father and mother, is joined to his wife, and the two become one flesh.
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Jesus Himself reaffirms this design in Matthew 19:4-6, pointing back to creation and declaring that what God has joined together, no one should separate.
The New Testament also establishes clear expectations for spiritual leadership. First Timothy 3:2 describes an overseer as the husband of one wife, reinforcing the importance of marital faithfulness and integrity among those entrusted with leading the church.
The biblical understanding of marriage is not a cultural preference that can be rewritten whenever society decides to embrace something new. It is a covenant established by God.
Romans 12:2 warns believers against conforming to the patterns of this world. Yet what happens when the very people called to preach that truth begin accommodating the culture instead?
America may continue changing its laws. Society may continue redefining relationships. But neither a unanimous city council vote nor the approval of a congregation can rewrite the Word of God.
The church was never called to make sin more acceptable. It was called to preach repentance, uphold righteousness and point people to Jesus Christ.
The question is not whether the world will continue moving further from biblical truth.
The question is whether the church will have the courage to stop following it.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about Abby at abbytrivett.com.
